The Three types of Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in tongues is a topic that is sure to have people fired up with claws out! I can already hear the cries of “Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” – 1 Corinthians 12:30

There are three types of Biblical speaking in tongues and tongues is specifically mentioned as a sign, a fruit of the Spirit if you will, that someone is a believer. We don’t speak in tongues to become saved, we speak in tongues to SHOW that we’re saved.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;” – Mark 16:17

People don’t even know what speaking in tongues is when they say it’s not something every believer should do. 1 Corinthians 14:2 tells us that speaking in tongues is simply speaking to God.

“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2

To those who misapply 1 Corinthians 12:30 to say not all believers are to speak in tongues, I’m fairly certain speaking to God is proof of you having a relationship with God! If you don’t speak to your friends, are they even your friends? If you don’t speak to God, is He even your God?

Paul was specifically speaking about not all speak in tongues as their public gift for the common good of the church.

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7

This type of tongues is 1 of the three types of tongues & one of the 9 public gifts of the Holy Spirit. People really need to understand the difference of tongues otherwise, they’ll be lead astray by an incomplete understanding of Scripture.

Summer 2018 is the Summer of Praying in the Spirit. There are two separate series that I’ve created with my dad, Evangelist Scott Stephens, the expert on this topic.